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Diamondbacks Acquire High-Leverage Reliever from Marlins

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According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Arizona Diamondbacks will trade for Miami Marlins left-handed reliever A.J. Puk. Miami is expected to receive two minor league bats in third baseman Deyvison De Los Santos and outfielder Andrew Pintar.

Puk was dominant as a high-leverage reliever for the Marlins last season. He posted a 3.97 ERA (117 ERA+) in 58 games. The southpaw recorded 15 saves and excellent strikeout and walk rates.

Marlins Trade A.J. Puk to Diamondbacks

Miami decided to deploy Puk as a starter this season. However, the team put him back in the bullpen after the experiment failed miserably. To little surprise, the 29-year-old has been dominant as a reliever and generated plenty of trade interest.

In 28 games, Puk has thrown 30 1/3 innings with a 2.08 ERA, 33 strikeouts, and six walks. The Diamondbacks still want to make the playoffs this year and expect a fortified rotation once key starters return to health. Puk represents an electric high-leverage option with a profile that plays well in the postseason.

Besides his skills, the Diamondbacks likely wanted to trade for Puk due to his contract situation. He is owed the remainder of his $1.8 million salary this year and has two more years of club control via arbitration.

Prospects Headed to Miami

In exchange for Puk, Miami will acquire Arizona’s 14th and 30th best prospects, per MLB Pipeline. De Los Santos, ranked 14th, entered spring training with the Cleveland Guardians after the Diamondbacks selected him in the Rule 5 Draft.

Cleveland targeted De Los Santos due to his reputation for hitting with high exit velocities and raw power. The 21-year-old had a decent spring but failed to make the Guardians’ Opening Day roster.

He was returned to the Arizona organization and has mashed in the minors this year. In 342 at-bats, the righty has hit .325 with a 1.011 OPS, 28 homers and 84 RBI. He’s a third baseman but might have to move to first due to his lack of athleticism. Either way, Miami’s system needs players with his offensive upside.

Pintar is a 23-year-old outfielder with a .852 OPS in Double-A. Due to his great speed and athleticism, Arizona moved him from second base to center field. He needs to improve his reads in the outfield, but evaluators think he can stick in a corner outfield spot.

Arizona’s major league roster features multiple young, athletic outfielders. The Diamondbacks clearly chose to use an organizational surplus to trade for a needed arm in Puk.

 

Photo Credit: © Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

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